CTE student organizations provide opportunities

Published 8:16 am Thursday, February 25, 2016

As the nation celebrates National Career and Technical Education Month in February, the school division is spotlighting the outstanding opportunities that the Charlotte County Public Schools Career and Technical Education department provides students.

The Yearbook Club, headed by Claudia McMillan, implements skills learned in the digital technologies sequences to produce Randolph-Henry’s yearbook.

HOSA members pictured are, from left, Treasurer Michaela Hipps and Secretary Hannah Conwell. Not pictured are President Katie Garnett and Vice President Charkiba Robinson.

HOSA members pictured are, from left, Treasurer Michaela Hipps and Secretary Hannah Conwell. Not pictured are President Katie Garnett and Vice President Charkiba Robinson.

This group has earned both first- and second-place finishes in the annual Virginia High School League yearbook contest, has garnered gold medals from such publishing groups as the National Scholastic Press and Columbia Scholastic Press Associations, and has been featured in both the Josten’s Look Book and NSPA Best of the Press multiple times for outstanding design, according to CCPS.

The Health Occupations Student Association (HOSA), led by Nikki Elder, focuses on growth opportunities for those students interested in careers in the health and medical field.

Yearbook Club editors are pictured, from left, Elizabeth Devin, Kendall Bowman and Hannah Conwell.

Yearbook Club editors are pictured, from left, Elizabeth Devin, Kendall Bowman and Hannah Conwell.

“These students attend a Fall Leadership Academy and the State Leadership Conference each year and are able, through these opportunities, to learn from persons with a background in the healthcare field. At the state conference, students are also able to compete in such areas as CPR, Career Health Display, and Medical Photography, among others. In 2014, the group had two students, Amber Shelton and Julia Toombs, qualify for national competition.

“In addition to opportunities to gain skills and knowledge in the healthcare field, the group also gives back to the community by sponsoring two blood drives a year,” according to CCPS.

The largest CTESO in Charlotte County is the Future Farmers of America (FFA). Charlotte County has had a chapter since 1926, dating back to the days when it was known as Future Farmers of Virginia (FFV), and it remains as active today as it has ever been. Participation begins with the Central Middle School FFA chapter, led by Bethanne Metts.